EXHIBITION WILL RUN AT CORK CITY LIBRARY FROM MARCH 13
A FACINATING exhibition dedicated to one of the most widely respected figures in the history of US politics and his links to Cork, and in particular Mallow, will open at the Cork City Library in March.
Organised by the Heritage Committee of the Mallow Development Partnership (MDP), the ‘ Tip O’Neill Exhibition’ celebrate his life, his connections to Ireland and his valued contribution to American and Irish politics.
Tip O’Neill’s grandparents Patrick O’Neill and Julia (Fox) emigrated to America in 1845, managing to escape the worst ravages of the Great Famine.
Their grandson, Thomas Phillip ‘ Tip’ O’Neill was born in 1912, first becoming active in politics at the tender age of 15, campaigning for Al Smith in the 1928 presidential election. After helping Franklin D Roosevelt’s campaign four years later, Tip unsuccessfully ran for a seat on the Cambridge City Council – his first and only electoral defeat.
After graduating from Boston College in 1936 he was elected to Massachusetts House of Representatives and in 1952 was elected to the 83rd congress of the House of Representatives, replacing John F Kennedy.
He represented Massachusetts for 16 consecutive terms, serving as House Majority Whip and Leader before being elected Speaker of the House in 1977, a position he held until his retirement in 1986.
Following his death in 1994 President Bill Clinton described Tip O’Neill as “the nation’s most prominent, powerful and loyal champion of the working people.”
Throughout his life Tip O’Neill remained fiercely proud of his Irish heritage, paying regular visits to Ireland and Mallow and playing a pivotal role in laying the groundwork for 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement.
The exhibition in Cork will be formally opened on Monday, March 13 by Mallow-born Professor Margaret Kelleher, the chair of Anglo-Irish Literature and Drama at UCD.
Tim Sheehan of the Mallow Development Partnership said the month-long exhibition, would be one of the most comprehensive ever put together on Tip O’Neill.
“It will be divided into different section, each of which will highlight different aspects of Tip O’Neill’s life, his many achievements and his ancestry,” said Mr Sheehan.
These will include a family tree detailing his strong connections to Mallow, his frequent visits to Ireland and his granting of the Freedom of Cork in 1985, his political career in the US and his involvement in the Northern Ireland peace process.
“Using documents, personal correspondence and photographs, the exhibition will tell the story of Tip O’Neill and his immense contribution to life and politics both in the US and Ireland,” said Mr Sheehan.
“Tip’s daughter Rosemary, herself a frequent visitor to Mallow, will be at the launch along with other members of the extended O’Neill family,” he added.
Mr Sheehan said that he believed the exhibition had the potential to create a financial spin-off for the town.
“This is a very important exhibition for Mallow given the O’Neill’s family’s links to the town. Now that people can fly directly from Boston to Cork, it is our hope the exhibition will result in greater numbers of American tourists visiting Mallow,” he said.